CM to bat for fair delimitation plan at states’ meet in Chennai today | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy left for Chennai on Friday to attend the crucial joint action committee meeting on Saturday to discuss the Centre’s proposed delimitation exercise. Other CMs and party leaders from opposition parties in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal and Punjab are expected to attend the meeting convened by Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.
From Telangana, in addition to Revanth, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, BRS working president KT Rama Rao, senior leaders and Rajya Sabha members from the BRS also left for Chennai to take part in Saturday’s meeting.
In a video message released ahead of the meeting, Stalin said, “What started as Tamil Nadu’s initiative is now poised to evolve into a national movement.”
Stalin has termed the proposed population-based exercise as a direct assault on federalism, emphasising that fair delimitation was essential to safeguard the rights of states.
Revanth too has raised concerns about the proposed delimitation, stating that southern states would see a reduction in Lok Sabha seats if the exercise is based on population. He argued that southern states, which successfully implemented India’s family planning policies, should not be punished for their efforts.
He pointed out that even with a pro-rata system, southern and smaller states would lose out, as larger states such Uttar Pradesh (80 seats) would see a higher percentage increase in their representation. For instance, if 50% increase was applied on a pro-rata basis, UP’s seats could rise to 120, while Telangana, with only 17 seats, would receive only eight or nine more seats.
Revanth called for an all-party meeting to discuss delimitation exercise and accused the BJP-led govt of attempting to target southern states because the party does not govern any of them.
Earlier this week, at an all-party meeting convened by the Congress govt in Telangana under the direction of Revanth, unanimously agreed that southern states should have a say in deciding the formula for the exercise. The meeting also called for the issue to be postponed until a scientific solution is found.
Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, who chaired the meeting, stressed that the role of southern states in the formation of central govt is crucial. Given concerns that these states could lose representation if delimitation is on population and pro-rata basis, he said the exercise should only proceed after a scientifically sound approach is developed.
Congress leaders as well as leaders from AIMIM, CPI, CPM and the Republican Party of India participated in the meeting.
From Telangana, in addition to Revanth, Telangana Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, BRS working president KT Rama Rao, senior leaders and Rajya Sabha members from the BRS also left for Chennai to take part in Saturday’s meeting.
In a video message released ahead of the meeting, Stalin said, “What started as Tamil Nadu’s initiative is now poised to evolve into a national movement.”
Stalin has termed the proposed population-based exercise as a direct assault on federalism, emphasising that fair delimitation was essential to safeguard the rights of states.
Revanth too has raised concerns about the proposed delimitation, stating that southern states would see a reduction in Lok Sabha seats if the exercise is based on population. He argued that southern states, which successfully implemented India’s family planning policies, should not be punished for their efforts.
He pointed out that even with a pro-rata system, southern and smaller states would lose out, as larger states such Uttar Pradesh (80 seats) would see a higher percentage increase in their representation. For instance, if 50% increase was applied on a pro-rata basis, UP’s seats could rise to 120, while Telangana, with only 17 seats, would receive only eight or nine more seats.
Revanth called for an all-party meeting to discuss delimitation exercise and accused the BJP-led govt of attempting to target southern states because the party does not govern any of them.
Earlier this week, at an all-party meeting convened by the Congress govt in Telangana under the direction of Revanth, unanimously agreed that southern states should have a say in deciding the formula for the exercise. The meeting also called for the issue to be postponed until a scientific solution is found.
Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka, who chaired the meeting, stressed that the role of southern states in the formation of central govt is crucial. Given concerns that these states could lose representation if delimitation is on population and pro-rata basis, he said the exercise should only proceed after a scientifically sound approach is developed.
Congress leaders as well as leaders from AIMIM, CPI, CPM and the Republican Party of India participated in the meeting.
